Geraniums

What’s in a geranium’s name? Confusion

One of the plants I’m sentimental about is the zonal geranium. I was given a cutting of a pink one by my Uncle George when I was eight – it’s still going strong.

One thing to clear up now – names. Geraniums are really Pelargoniums, but nobody really calls them that. Proper geraniums are the hardy herbaceous perennial cranesbill type – not these half-hardy, showy favourites of the Med, alpine balconies and cottage garden.

These geraniums are really Pelargoniums…

Hardy geranium Rozanne, or cranesbill

There’s two main types – zonal (because of the often pronounced ‘zones’ on the leaves), and ivy-leaved, which have smoother leaves and a trailing habit.

Many other branches of the family exist – angel, decorative, double zonal, regal, stellar, rosebud and scented leaved.

They are easy to look after – my motto is ‘treat them mean to keep them keen’. I hack them right back to overwinter in the conservatory and greenhouse.

By March, I increase watering and top-dress the pots with fresh compost. Mine all go outside in summer until the first frosts. Keep them well fed and deadhead regularly and they’ll perform well in a sunny spot.

The scent of Turkish Delight…

I have an especial a weakness for scented-leaved geraniums and the plug plant collection from The Vernon Nursery didn’t disappoint.

Scented geranium Angel’s Perfume

Bit of a colour clash – scented geraniums with Bullseye Scarlet

In a damp, cool summer, they outperform all other types. It used to be said they don’t have the floral beauty of the others, but Angel’s Perfume is a new scented type, combining the looks of an angel geranium with the aroma of a scented leaf variety.

Of the traditional types, my favourite is Attar of Roses, which smells like roses/Turkish delight; Scented Citriodorum (citrus); Clorinda (cedar) and Torento (ginger/cola). Four of each plug plants in the 2015 collection, £29.99 (note – the collection has changed slightly since then).

Finally, not a scented type, but a new plant exclusive to Vernons, Spanish Wine Burgundy, a zonal geranium with rich burgundy blooms sitting high above the compact rich green foliage. Each petal is edged with a light pink picotee.

It repeat flowers right through summer and into late autumn. Height 45cm, five plug plants for £11.99.

Geraniums on trial

In 2014, I trialled more than 100 geraniums in pots – cuttings, seeds, bedding plug plants and specialist named varieties.

In May, they were at vastly different stages. By the end of the season, all had put on a decent show.

They performed best of all, and particularly good were the ivy-leaved varieties. Best if you want massed bedding.

Geranium cuttings from my own stock

Geranium Black Magic leaf

Vancouver Centennial

A mixture of named varieties came from The Vernon Nursery, including Vancouver Centennial. The plantlets took longer to get going, but every one is a beauty. More expensive, but best if you want choice blooms in pots.

The cuttings were from my own stock, so cost me nothing. If you already have plants, this is the cheapest way to do it.

I grew F1 Black Magic Mixed from seed, a mix of scarlet, rose, apple blossom and salmon flowers, with almost black foliage and a lime green edging.

You have to have some knowledge of growing from seed, and a heated propagator – mine were sown in January. It’s worth growing them for the foliage alone, but they seem prone to grey mould attacks.

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Mandy Watson is a freelance journalist and plantaholic with roots firmly planted in working-class NE England. MandyCanUDigIt grew from the tiny seed of a Twitter account into this rainforest of information. JPIMedia gardening columnist and Teesdale Mercury Magazine editor. Garden Media Guild and NUJ member. Mission statement: to make gardening more accessible to the often excluded - the less able, the hard-up or beginners. Advocate of gardening for better mental health.